How much do grinds cost in Ireland?
Typical hourly rates for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate grinds, what affects price, and how marketplace booking works.
Written by the GetGrinds.ie team. Grinds prices in Ireland vary by subject, level, location and whether the lesson is online or in person. This guide explains what usually drives the hourly rate and how booking on a marketplace differs from paying cash after class.
What families typically pay
Most school-level grinds are priced per hour. On GetGrinds.ie, tutors set their own rates (within platform limits). You will see a wide spread — from student tutors offering affordable Junior Cycle support to experienced teachers charging more for Higher Level Leaving Certificate subjects such as Maths, Irish or Chemistry.
Treat any “average” you hear as a rough guide only. The right price is the one on the tutor’s profile for the level you need, locked in when you book.
What affects the hourly rate
- Level — Leaving Certificate Higher Level and scarce subjects (Applied Maths, Agricultural Science) often cost more than Junior Cycle or primary.
- Experience — Teaching Council teachers, examiners and tutors with strong reviews can charge a premium.
- Online vs in person — Online removes travel time; some tutors price it lower, others keep one rate for both.
- Location — In-person Dublin lessons may cost more than online sessions with a tutor elsewhere in Ireland.
Marketplace fees vs cash grinds
When you book on GetGrinds.ie, you pay the lesson total through Stripe. The tutor’s advertised hourly rate is what the lesson is based on; the platform takes a fee from that total (see our FAQ). You are not asked to pay the tutor separately in cash after the class.
Informal cash grinds can look cheaper on paper, but you lose card receipts, cancellation rules and the verification step that keeps contact details private until payment is confirmed.
How to keep costs under control
- Book a single lesson first — you are not locked into a term.
- Bring a clear brief (topics, recent tests) so the hour is focused.
- Compare a few verified tutors in the same subject rather than picking the first profile.
- For Maths in Dublin, see Maths grinds in Dublin — online and in-person options side by side.
Next steps
Browse grinds by subject, read how to find a tutor, or compare online vs in-person grinds.